Final Report - June, 2003

Final report Sun Time project

J Sepko / T Byron Issac Imes Elementary School---Glendale Az 85302 USA 4/5 grades

Our students recorded the temperature for 5 days in F and C. It was the lowest temperature Phoenix had been for 3 weeks.

Mrs. Byron and I teamed up on this project. Since there was limit of children I could take on the internet in the library , we combined classes and rotated kids into the computer lab. While I worked with the kids on the internet she worked with the remainder of the kids in the classroom. We were limited to a 40 minute period 3 times a week.

We are working with a population of students with no experience on the internet. So I first had to teach the computer skills. Some of the children although interested in the end product weren't disciplined enough to use the internet. Our school requires parental permission and adult supervision at all times so we had to limit the kids to 10 at a time. Some had no permission slips on file so they couldn't use the internet. Basic reading skills were a problem also--and the 2nd language was an additional problem so we worked with the best in the lab. However all the children measured and were interested in the results and letters that we took off the internet. We did write individual questions and introductions as a part of our language arts. We didn't send these.

All the children used the worksheets and learned the math and science skills. We also graphed comparisons of different cities. Using our own weather data for four Arizona cities we line graphed comparisons of low and high temperatures. It was also at the end of our school year so some of the activities we wanted to do were not possible ( e-mail with other schools.) However-- it has given the teachers a taste for what is possible and we will participate starting next August 2003. The real time aspect of the project intrigued the kids. They were thrilled to pick introduction letters from all over the world. Some of the children did independent study on the different countries.

We both feel the internet is a powerful motivator for writing and reading. Our school (21st Century grant) has just received an circulating alpha/cart with 30 word processors connected to our computers and a laser printer. This really increases our capacity for language arts and word processing skills. I just completed an workshop on this and am excited about the internet link possibilities. We can compose in the classroom and the transfer our data into the iMacs and then to the internet. This will really speed up the process so I envision us being able to participate in at least two projects next year. and do on line publishing.

RESULTS---

SUNLIGHT There is a strong relationship between latitude and the number or minutes of sunlight.
The further away we got from the equator the longer the minutes both north and south. The further North the longer the twilight hours. In Phoenix when the sun goes down it gets dark within 15-20 minutes. We demonstrated the "sunlight rays" on a ball. and showed the longer rays went to the top and bottom of the ball. (Shortest rays are at the equator)

TEMPERATURE
There is a strong relationship between temperature and latitude. The further north and south the cooler the temperature. This is because the most direct rays of the sun are at the equator.

However other factors do affect temperature. Inland (away from oceans and major lakes) tends to be warmer even though the latitude is higher than the sea side. ( Example Canada vs NJ) The position of the city ( which side of the mountain range) and altitude. Example Flagstaff AZ is 20-30 degrees F cooler in the summer than Phoenix even though we are only 180 miles apart. Altitude difference is 1400 compared to 7200 feet.
 

E-mail: jsepko@mailgesd.k12.az.us